Superficially good ERAs mask the fact that Mendoza didn't pitch all that impressively at Double-A and walked more hitters than he struck out in a cameo at Triple-A. At best, he's a tweener with middle-relief upside, but even that's a stretch.

2007

Extremely young--he won't turn 20 until August--righthander with the performance record of a college draftee. He's at least two, maybe three years out, and like all teenaged professional pitchers, is a major health risk.

2006

Mendoza was the Angels' fifth round selection in the 2005 Amateur Draft. He was lights out in Rookie ball, throwing 52 1/3 innings over four starts and nine relief appearances. Over that span he posted a 1.55 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and struckout 56 batters while walking only 13. He was even better in a 10-inning stint with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, striking out 12 with no walks and four hits allowed. He's likely to start 2006 back at High-A, but likely will not stay for long.